6/8 time
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6/8 time is a time signature in Western musical notation which dictates that each bar must of consist of six quaver, or eighth-note, beats.
[edit] Accentuation in Western Music
In all Western music certain beats of each bar are inherently accented (played slightly louder) by the performer, regardless of the time signature. In 6/8 the accented beats are usually the 1st and the 4th, or else the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th (most commonly in jazz, rock and country).
Music can also be performed in 6/8 with a two beat triplet feel (where the 1st and 4th beats act as beats 1 and 2).
The notes are grouped in two dotted crotchets per bar.
[edit] Examples of songs performed in 6/8 time
- "A Winter's Tale" (Queen)
- "I'm In Love With My Car" (Queen)
- "Somebody to Love" (Queen)
- "We Are The Champions" (Queen)
- "All Blues" (Miles Davis)
- "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles)
- "Crazy" (written by Willie Nelson, also recorded and made famous by Patsy Cline)
- "In My Room" (The Beach Boys)
- "Yer Blues" (The Beatles)
- "The House of the Rising Sun" (traditional)
- "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (Elton John)
- "Drive You Home" (Garbage)
- "London You're a Lady" (The Pogues)
- "Color My World" (Chicago) (12/8 with a 6/8 feel)
- "Without You" (Silverchair)
- "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" (Bob Dylan)
- "15 Minutes" (The Strokes)
- "From the Inside" (Linkin Park)
- "Bank Job" (Barenaked Ladies)
- "Thanks That was Fun" (Barenaked Ladies)
- "The Flag" (BNL)
- "Breaking The Girl" (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
- "Henry Lee" (Nick Cave & PJ Harvey)
